I thought my aching leg was from working from home – but it was sign of killer timebomb from pill millions take
A MUM put her aching leg down to being inactive while working from home - until she was hospitalised, riddled with blood clots caused by her daily pill.
Amy Pitt says she is 'grateful that she's still here' to raise her two young sons, after doctors said she could have died if she left it any longer.
6
Amy Pitt thought her leg was aching due to working from home
Credit: Kennedy news and media
6
Soon her leg had become discoloured - a key symptom of a blood clot
Credit: Kennedy news and media
The 37-year-old is now urging others to be wary of the same pills.
Despite using the same contraceptive pill since a teenager, she now urges other women to 'make sure they're aware of the risks' before starting the oral contraceptive.
The combined hormonal contraception pill causes the potential risk of
Amy, who lives in Solihull, West Midlands, said: "It's just a bit shocking.
Read more real life
The civil servant was prescribed the combined pill in September 2024 to prevent her getting pregnant following her IVF birth and to help her gain weight.
Having had no previous issues, when Amy began experiencing pain in her left leg in May she blamed it on being inactive.
Amy said: "I work from home and I started feeling the usual aches and
"I thought 'maybe it's because I don't do enough because I often work from home'. I'm not active or walking around but I'm not unfit.
Most read in Health
"It just got gradually worse and it got to the point where it was aching quite a lot. I thought I'd pulled a muscle or something.
"I contacted 111 and they said 'book an appointment, we'll send you a link'. I couldn't use the link but I thought 'I'm just going to leave it. It's not going to be anything serious. I'm wasting their time and they're clearly so busy'.
Understanding blood clots
"It was only the next day I woke up and it was swollen and a bit discoloured. My left leg felt longer than the other one. When I was standing straight, one wasn't touching the floor.
"It's basically the groin bit that was solid and bulging. When I stood up it was very hard to touch. I got a tape measure out and one leg was two or three inches difference in the top of my leg. The pain had also gotten worse in my tummy."
After calling 111 they booked her a hospital appointment and she had blood tests before scans to test for a possible tumour.
However, numerous tests and scans revealed Amy had an occlusive thrombus and extensive blood clots in the major veins in her leg.
She also had a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs.
Amy said: "It's just crazy because I'm only young and I've got a blood clot caused by the Pill.
"The doctor said 'your blood clots are so extensive. One of them is completely blocking the blood flow'.'
Due to fly to Greek island of Crete a week later, doctors warned this 'could've been fatal for her' due to the cabin pressure.
Flights can increase the risk of a blood clot already. And people who have a recent blood clot diagnosis are not advised to fly.
Amy says: "I have two children so I was just thinking 'could you imagine if I'd gone on that flight. I could've been stuck in another country'. It's scary.
"They said it was the pill and that I had to stop it today so it went straight in the bin.
"I should've looked at it before taking it again but you rely on the doctors to tell you what's suitable and what's not.
"I'm so grateful I got checked out when I did. I just knew that I couldn't afford not to get this checked because I've got two children."
Amy admitted her leg may stay swollen for up to a year and is currently taking blood thinning medication to allow the blood clots to dissolve.
She now wants to spread awareness to other women about the
6
Amy has two young children, and says she is grateful to be alive
Credit: Kennedy news and media
6
The 37-year-old is warning women to know the risks of the contraceptive pill
Credit: Kennedy news and media
6
Amy was told by doctors she had 'extensive' blood clots, including a blockage in her lung
Credit: Kennedy news and media
6
Doctors said the situation could have been a lot worse had she waited much longer
Credit: Kennedy news and media
Amy said: "I'm just grateful that I'm still here. Even now there's still potential that more clots could go from the leg to the lungs. I'm constantly on edge. 'Do I need to call the doctor'. It's given me a bit of anxiety.
"It's just waiting for these clots to dissolve and hope that my life will get back to normal.
"I'm on blood thinners now, so any bump to the head you have to call 111 because it can cause internal bleeding.
"I have to carry an alert card in case I'm in an accident. Thankfully I've had no injuries so far.
"I don't think I was aware this was one of the risks. That's what I've got to take accountability for.
"In the small print of all these medications it does tell you all the risks. I think I was a bit naive.
"Just make sure you talk to your doctor about the risks and make sure you're aware of the risks yourself. Read the small print. The odds of you getting one are low but the odds are still there. It could be life-threatening."
Symptoms of a blood clot
lood clots can be very serious and need to be treated quickly.
Symptoms depend on the location, but include:
Throbbing or cramping pain
Swelling
Redness
Warmth
Sudden breathlessness
Sharp chest pain (which may be worse when you breathe in)
A cough
Coughing up blood
Faster-than-normal or irregular heartbeat
If you think you have a blood clot, call NHS 111 immediately for advice.
Source: NHS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I drank 4 bottles of wine a day after getting dumped, not even AA or a broken face could stop me…a call changed it all
MY world fell apart on New Year's Eve 2008 when my fiance of six years told me he didn't love me anymore. I moved out of his flat that we shared the next day - heartbroken and lost. I didn't know what to do with the emotional pain, so I drank. Advertisement 7 Amy now, having been sober for six years Credit: supplied 7 Amy's relationship with alcohol was a desperate coping mechanism Credit: SUPPLIED My relationship with alcohol quickly shifted from something social to a desperate coping mechanism. Nights were spent in a local pub with friends, and bottles of wine consumed with my mum Caroline until the anger or sadness passed. I wouldn't go out sober. Drinking felt essential. It gave me confidence, made me feel fun. But things began to spiral. I lost my job at New Look not long after. Someone had complained I smelled of alcohol. Advertisement READ MORE REAL LIFE STORIES That part wasn't upheld - but instead of seeing it as a warning sign, I used it as justification. I told myself it was their fault I'd lost my job. It didn't stop me drinking - I drank more. In the jobs that followed, mainly in retail, I'd count down the hours until I could get home and pour a glass of wine. I was high-functioning enough that no one really knew. Or, at least, no one said anything. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous By 2015, I started hiding bottles of booze. That's when I knew, deep down, that something wasn't right. But I convinced myself it was no one else's business. I was living at my mum's while saving to move to Cambodia. I drank 7 bottles of vodka & 30 glasses of wine a week- I smashed teeth & was fired for being drunk, the booze broke me A friend had told me it was really nice and I thought a change of country might change me. But one night I came home from drinking, and my mum had lined up all the empty booze bottles on the kitchen side. There were about 15. Advertisement She had found them shoved at the back of my wardrobe. I still remember the look on her face. There was no shouting - just quiet heartbreak. Moving to Cambodia on my own in 2016 gave me total freedom - but it also gave me a deep sense of loneliness. I was teaching English as a foreign language to young children, and lived with a woman from New Zealand in an apartment in Phnom Penh. But my behaviour didn't change. One night I'd ended up at a casino with a group of men I'd met in a bar, phone dead, no way for anyone to reach me. Advertisement My housemate panicked so called my mum. I thought they were overreacting. That was my mindset. I hoped coming back to the UK after a year would fix me - but even on the flight back, and drinking a beer at the airport, I knew it wouldn't. 7 Amy once drank so much she fell and fractured her face Credit: supplied I got my own place, which meant there was no one around to see what I was doing. Advertisement My mum tried to talk to me gently about it sometimes, and I'd make these half-hearted promises to cut down. But the truth is, living alone made it way too easy to carry on. Then came Christmas 2018 when I was 38. I was working in a pub, and after one of my shifts, I drank way too much. I ended up drink-driving home. I don't even remember doing it. My colleagues were so concerned they called the police. But again, I didn't see the danger - or my own responsibility. I blamed them. In my head, I was the victim. I never went back to that job but I also didn't drive again until I got sober in 2019, so a part of me knew. Advertisement What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment. By the end, I was drinking between three and four bottles of wine a day. That had become my normal. I didn't even think it was excessive - it was just what I needed to get through the day. I stopped going out as much because it was easier to drink at home. When I did go out, I'd usually end up black-out drunk. I'd fall over, lose my keys, wake up in places I had no memory of ever going. It became too risky, too unpredictable. So I started choosing the sofa, a bottle - or four - and my own little bubble of self-pity. Eventually, I couldn't do anything without a drink in me. I needed at least two glasses of wine just to get ready for work because my hands would be shaking so much. Advertisement I isolated myself a lot because I was trying so hard to hide what was really going on, as I didn't want to face questions from friends or family. I wasn't in a romantic relationship during that time. But I was promiscuous. I had a lot of one-night stands, thinking they'd somehow make me feel better. They didn't. I'd wake up filled with shame and self-loathing, and then use that as another excuse to drink. 7 On one occasion, Amy ended up driving herself home, drunk Credit: supplied Advertisement 7 Amy with a black eye after a fall when drunk Credit: SUPPLIED In the summer of 2018, I experienced what should have been a rock bottom moment. That was when I fractured my face after a fall while drunk. But it wasn't. Not yet. I had to stop drinking for eight days while I was on antibiotics. But, the following week I celebrated by drinking again. A reward. I knew then I was in trouble. I went to my first AA meeting in January 2019. I was drunk when I went. I don't even remember much about it, but that was the first time I admitted something was wrong - even if I wasn't ready to deal with it yet. Advertisement Alcohol and addiction had affected my confidence, my sense of self, my ability to trust my own thoughts. I stopped making plans for the future. I lived day-to-day, hour-to-hour, bottle-to-bottle. It robbed me of time. And, it impacted my health - my body was exhausted, my hands shook, I sweated constantly, my anxiety was through the roof. But I didn't care - my main concern was hiding the truth, from others, and most importantly, from myself. I told lies. I lived a double life: the version I showed the world and the one that sat at home pouring another glass. 7 Amy called the Samaritans for help Credit: supplied The moment it all stopped wasn't loud or dramatic. It was May 2019, and I passed out at work working as a store manager of a retail shop. I was drinking all day, every day - even at work. When they found me unconscious, I felt pure shame. But still not surprised. Advertisement At the same time, I was also in therapy, trying to cope without actually telling my therapist I was still drinking. Years of buried pain came up - heartbreak, my parents' divorce, the fallout from my cancelled wedding. I had no idea how to cope. So I drank more. But, that day, something cracked. I didn't want to live like this anymore. But I didn't want to die either. I'd been given the number for the Samaritans, and I called them. That call saved my life. After that, I rang my mum and told her I needed help. My mum suggested rehab. And four days later, I was in. Now, I've been sober for six years, since 8 May 2019. Advertisement If I'm honest, I haven't found my recovery that hard - not in the way people expect. I accepted very early on that I just couldn't drink. I loved rehab. I soaked up everything. I started going to 12-step meetings and worked through a programme. The real shift came in October 2020, when I finally shared on social media that I was in recovery. I was tired of pretending. And the outpouring of love and 'me too' messages flipped something in my mind. Maybe I didn't have to hide. That's when I began helping others - and helping others helped me. That's how it works. 7 Amy now helps others get sober Credit: supplied Advertisement On the outside, the changes are obvious - I look healthier, I show up, I've built a business. In 2022, I decided to write a book to help others. Even when I got sober, there weren't enough stories that talked about the identity crisis, the grief, the rediscovery, the unlearning, the rising. I wanted women to know they weren't broken. Drinking has been normalised, glamourised, romanticised to the point where not drinking makes you the weird one. Advertisement But here's the truth: you don't need alcohol to have fun, to fit in, or to survive the day. And once you realise that, once you live that - you start to see the lie for what it is. About Amy... Amy Deards is a She guides them to uncover their true power, build unstoppable confidence, and create lives so bold and fulfilling they never want to escape. It's about transformation, freedom, and living on their own terms.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The 6 ‘healthy' foods sabotaging your weight loss and making you HUNGRIER – are you guilty?
WHILE many foods are marketed as helpful for weight loss, some can actually hinder your efforts, warns a doctor. So-called "healthy" foods are seen on diet plans, in health blogs, or promoted on social media as smart choices. Advertisement 3 'Healthy' foods aren't always what they seem - they could actually make you eat more But they may actually backfire when it comes to fat loss, says Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant physician and head of That's because these foods could be making you feel hungrier - and not helping you slim down. "People often assume that if something is marketed as low-fat, sugar-free, or natural, it must be good for weight loss," said Professor Joseph. "But in reality, many of these foods trigger hunger, cravings and overeating." Advertisement There are six foods in particular Prof Joseph says you should look to avoid - and he also advises what to eat instead. Sugar-free sweets and gum While these might save you calories upfront, sugar-free snacks are often packed with artificial sweeteners that can confuse your appetite signals, said Prof Joseph. He added: "They create a sweet taste without calories, which can increase cravings and make you want to eat more." Fruit smoothies Smoothies are often seen as a healthy option, but they're a fast track to hunger for many people. Advertisement Most read in Diet & Nutrition Prof Joseph explained: "Blending fruit strips away the fibre that slows digestion, meaning you get a White carbs labelled as low-fat Think white toast, rice cakes or low-fat crackers here. I lost half a stone eating cold chips "These are quickly digested, low in fibre and protein, and do little to keep you full," warned Prof Joseph. "You burn through them quickly and end up hungrier than you were before." Advertisement Nut butters (in excess) 3 Nut butters can be very easy to overeat Credit: Getty Nut butters can be healthy in moderation, but they're calorie-dense and very easy to overeat, said Prof Joseph. He added: "People assume they're filling because of the fat content, but without enough fibre or protein alongside, they often leave you wanting more." Granola and protein bars A lot of so-called healthy snack bars are glorified candy bars with a health halo , in Prof Joseph's eyes. Advertisement He said: "They may contain protein, but they're often high in sugar and low in real satiety." Rice cakes 3 Rice cakes provide very little nutritional value Credit: Getty Rice cakes are commonly marketed as a low-calorie snack, but they're basically just He advised: "They don't fill you up, so you end up eating several and still feeling hungry." Advertisement So what should you eat instead? Focus on high-fibre carbs, lean protein and foods that take longer to digest, said Prof Joseph. Read more on the Irish Sun This includes foods like lentils, oats, beans, Greek yoghurt and eggs, which keep you fuller for longer and help support steady fat loss. He added: "If you're constantly hungry on your diet, it's a sign your body isn't being fuelled properly - and swapping out these six foods can make a big difference." Other things that could be sabotaging your weight loss Poor dietary choices Foods like white bread, pasta, and pastries are quickly digested, leading to rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can trigger cravings and overeating. Sodas, sweetened teas, and juices are high in calories and sugar, offering little nutritional value and contributing to weight gain. And ultra-processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar, while lacking essential nutrients. Lifestyle factors Sleep deprivation disrupts hormones that regulate appetite, potentially increasing cravings and hindering weight loss. Stress can trigger emotional eating and lead to unhealthy food choices. While diet is crucial, regular exercise helps burn calories, build muscle, and improve overall health. Fad diets are often unsustainable and can be harmful in the long run. Incorrect portion sizes Even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. Social influences Friends and family can unintentionally sabotage weight loss efforts through pressure to eat certain foods or participate in unhealthy activities. Lack of support Having a strong support system is crucial for staying motivated and on track.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I thought my aching leg was from working from home – but it was sign of killer timebomb from pill millions take
A MUM put her aching leg down to being inactive while working from home - until she was hospitalised, riddled with blood clots caused by her daily pill. Amy Pitt says she is 'grateful that she's still here' to raise her two young sons, after doctors said she could have died if she left it any longer. 6 Amy Pitt thought her leg was aching due to working from home Credit: Kennedy news and media 6 Soon her leg had become discoloured - a key symptom of a blood clot Credit: Kennedy news and media The 37-year-old is now urging others to be wary of the same pills. Despite using the same contraceptive pill since a teenager, she now urges other women to 'make sure they're aware of the risks' before starting the oral contraceptive. The combined hormonal contraception pill causes the potential risk of Amy, who lives in Solihull, West Midlands, said: "It's just a bit shocking. Read more real life The civil servant was prescribed the combined pill in September 2024 to prevent her getting pregnant following her IVF birth and to help her gain weight. Having had no previous issues, when Amy began experiencing pain in her left leg in May she blamed it on being inactive. Amy said: "I work from home and I started feeling the usual aches and "I thought 'maybe it's because I don't do enough because I often work from home'. I'm not active or walking around but I'm not unfit. Most read in Health "It just got gradually worse and it got to the point where it was aching quite a lot. I thought I'd pulled a muscle or something. "I contacted 111 and they said 'book an appointment, we'll send you a link'. I couldn't use the link but I thought 'I'm just going to leave it. It's not going to be anything serious. I'm wasting their time and they're clearly so busy'. Understanding blood clots "It was only the next day I woke up and it was swollen and a bit discoloured. My left leg felt longer than the other one. When I was standing straight, one wasn't touching the floor. "It's basically the groin bit that was solid and bulging. When I stood up it was very hard to touch. I got a tape measure out and one leg was two or three inches difference in the top of my leg. The pain had also gotten worse in my tummy." After calling 111 they booked her a hospital appointment and she had blood tests before scans to test for a possible tumour. However, numerous tests and scans revealed Amy had an occlusive thrombus and extensive blood clots in the major veins in her leg. She also had a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Amy said: "It's just crazy because I'm only young and I've got a blood clot caused by the Pill. "The doctor said 'your blood clots are so extensive. One of them is completely blocking the blood flow'.' Due to fly to Greek island of Crete a week later, doctors warned this 'could've been fatal for her' due to the cabin pressure. Flights can increase the risk of a blood clot already. And people who have a recent blood clot diagnosis are not advised to fly. Amy says: "I have two children so I was just thinking 'could you imagine if I'd gone on that flight. I could've been stuck in another country'. It's scary. "They said it was the pill and that I had to stop it today so it went straight in the bin. "I should've looked at it before taking it again but you rely on the doctors to tell you what's suitable and what's not. "I'm so grateful I got checked out when I did. I just knew that I couldn't afford not to get this checked because I've got two children." Amy admitted her leg may stay swollen for up to a year and is currently taking blood thinning medication to allow the blood clots to dissolve. She now wants to spread awareness to other women about the 6 Amy has two young children, and says she is grateful to be alive Credit: Kennedy news and media 6 The 37-year-old is warning women to know the risks of the contraceptive pill Credit: Kennedy news and media 6 Amy was told by doctors she had 'extensive' blood clots, including a blockage in her lung Credit: Kennedy news and media 6 Doctors said the situation could have been a lot worse had she waited much longer Credit: Kennedy news and media Amy said: "I'm just grateful that I'm still here. Even now there's still potential that more clots could go from the leg to the lungs. I'm constantly on edge. 'Do I need to call the doctor'. It's given me a bit of anxiety. "It's just waiting for these clots to dissolve and hope that my life will get back to normal. "I'm on blood thinners now, so any bump to the head you have to call 111 because it can cause internal bleeding. "I have to carry an alert card in case I'm in an accident. Thankfully I've had no injuries so far. "I don't think I was aware this was one of the risks. That's what I've got to take accountability for. "In the small print of all these medications it does tell you all the risks. I think I was a bit naive. "Just make sure you talk to your doctor about the risks and make sure you're aware of the risks yourself. Read the small print. The odds of you getting one are low but the odds are still there. It could be life-threatening." Symptoms of a blood clot lood clots can be very serious and need to be treated quickly. Symptoms depend on the location, but include: Throbbing or cramping pain Swelling Redness Warmth Sudden breathlessness Sharp chest pain (which may be worse when you breathe in) A cough Coughing up blood Faster-than-normal or irregular heartbeat If you think you have a blood clot, call NHS 111 immediately for advice. Source: NHS
